Southwest League Preview and Players to Watch

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The teams in the Southwest League are gearing up for the 2025 season. Here is the Prep Dig recap of last season for the top four teams in this league as well as some important returning players. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#1- Sheldon High School </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Sheldon finished off their 2024 season first in their league with their wins at 10-2 and their overall wins at 18-11. They finished #9 in the state, keeping up their six year record of being in the top ten.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509761"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1a06"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This First Team All-League select helped her team win their league with her dynamic moves, high energy and welcoming presence on the court. McKibben will be a returning junior for the Leprechauns. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["509777"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1a66"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Burger, an Honorable Mention for last seasons All-League selects, is a returning junior for Sheldon High. Burger is a middle blocker who can also be put in the right side position, showing that she can be fast and explosive in the middle and controlled and clever on the pins. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["267162"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1aab"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Tuioti was made Player of the Year this past season and also making the First Team All-League selects. This backrow passer is poised, tenacious and a player to reckon with. Her fast reactions and precision made her the obvious choice for the highest league honor of Player of the Year. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#2- South Medford High School </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Medford placed second in their league and #12 in the state, a full 12 spots higher than their #24 ranking in 2023. They finished the season with 9-3 league wins and 17-11 overall wins. South Medford is climbing the victory ladder, with only one direction to go. Up.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["769059"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1aec"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Mitchell is a tall pin hitter, playing as a returning junior for the Panthers and being an Honorable Mention in last seasons selects. Her fast and heavy arms makes her a go-to outlet on offense. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["267159"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1b2b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Akpan, another Player of the Year and First Team All-League select for the Southwest League, is a returning senior for South Medford. Although she can mainly be seen as a middle blocker, Akpan also plays a six rotation outside, a hard role for most middles to fit into. Her positional adaptability and raw athleticism makes her a player you'll want to watch all season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#3- North Medford High School</strong> </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>North Medford placed third in their league, just below their southern counterpart. They placed #13 in the state with their league wins at 8-4 and their overall wins at 17-9. They were ranked at #18 for the 2023 season, making yet another jump for the Medford schools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["503527"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1b68"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Atonio is an incoming senior setter/hitter for the Tornados. She was a First Team All-League select this past season, making a huge impact on her team as a left-handed player. Her fast hands, either setting or hitting, makes her a very valuable player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>#4- South Eugene High School </strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>South Eugene may have made the biggest jump out of all the 6A varsity volleyball teams. They ended their 2024 season in the #17 spot, 16 places away from their #33 spot in 2023. Their league wins for 2024 sat at 7-5 and their overall wins at 15-9. Eyes will be peeled and fixed on South Eugene to see what they do in this upcoming season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["697994"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1ba6"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Combs is an incoming six rotation senior outside who impresses spectators with her fast arm, leaping abilities and strong blocking hands. Her ability to defend, transition and execute is impressive and worthy to note. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["744789"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-68844720c1be2"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Hanley is a returning sophomore for South Eugene, making the Second Team All-League selections last season. Her positional flexibility makes her a strong asset on her team. Fast reflexes, calculated swings and a go-getter attitude is what makes Hanley a great volleyball player. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->